For years debate has raged about how beneficial increased levels of testosterone can be for older men. In 2003, the Endocrine Society assembled a panel to discuss androgen deficiencies in older men and how increased testosterone may help them. They concluded there was insufficient data to make reasonable conclusions in how more, or replacement testosterone, could improve the health of young and older men.

This new study helps address that main issue brought forth by the Endocrine Society.

To conduct trials, researchers screened over 51,000 men over the age of 65 for low testosterone levels. They eventually settled on 790 patients. For one year, researchers then treated a select group of these men with either a testosterone or placebo. Follow-up appointments were made every three, six, nine and 12 months. After the trial concluded, researchers found that men who used the gel had testosterone levels closer to men aged 19 to 40 years old.

“In symptomatic men 65 years of age or older, raising testosterone concentrations for 1 year from moderately low to the mid-normal range for men 19 to 40 years of age had a moderate benefit with respect to sexual function and some benefit with respect to mood and depressive symptoms but no benefit with respect to vitality or walking distance,” the research concluded.

While the study does indicate this type of gel, and other testosterone pellets, does help older men, more trials need to be — and will be — conducted in the near future. The Testosterone Trials is a group of seven trials being conducted in various medical facilities around the country. Four have yet to be completed. These include trials of Cognitive Function, bone, Cardiovascular and Anemia, as well as the risks of testosterone treatment.